If your SWISS flight arrived 3+ hours late for a reason the airline controls, EU261 can pay €250-€600 per passenger, depending on distance. Flights between the U.S. and Zurich are long-haul, so the usual amount is €600.
How much SWISS owes for a delay
| Under 1,500 km | €250 |
| 1,500-3,500 km (or any longer flight within the EU) | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km (all U.S.-Europe flights) | €600 |
For delays of 3-4 hours on flights over 3,500 km, the airline may cut the amount by half.
When SWISS has to pay
- Flights leaving the EU on SWISS are always covered.
- Flights to Europe from the U.S. on SWISS are covered too, because it's an EU airline. The same flight on a U.S. airline is only covered when leaving Europe.
- You arrived 3+ hours late, measured when the doors open at your final destination.
- The cause was in the airline's control: crew shortages, technical problems, late incoming aircraft. Weather, air traffic control and security usually don't count.
- Cancelled with under 14 days' notice? You're owed the same amounts, unless the airline rebooked you onto a flight arriving close to your original time.
How to claim
- Note your flight number, date and booking reference.
- Use our free calculator, which writes a claim letter you can send to SWISS yourself.
- Or let a claim service handle it; they keep a share only if you win.
Affiliate link. You can always claim directly from SWISS for free.
Also see: Lufthansa delay compensation · Proof of delay for insurance · Stranded right now?
Common questions
How much does SWISS pay for a delayed flight?
Under EU261, SWISS owes €250 to €600 per passenger for arrival delays of 3+ hours caused by the airline. Flights between the U.S. and Europe usually qualify for €600.
Does SWISS pay compensation for flights from the U.S.?
Yes. Because SWISS is an EU airline, EU261 covers its flights from the U.S. to Europe as well as flights leaving Europe.